Tab Picker

Vim-style tab navigation for VS Code, inspired by Barbar.nvim's BufferPick. Press a key, jump to a tab.

What It Does

Temporarily adds [A], [S], [D] letters to your tab labels. Type the letter to jump to that tab. No popups, no menus.

Usage

Navigate Mode

• Trigger: Ctrl+'
• Action: Type a letter → Jump to tab
• Cancel: ESC or any unassigned letter

Delete Mode

• Trigger: Ctrl+Shift+'
• Action: Type a letter → Close tab
• Cancel: ESC or any unassigned letter

How It Works

Uses VS Code's workbench.editor.customLabels.patterns API to modify tab labels on-the-fly:

1. Saves your original labels
2. Assigns smart keys (prioritizes filename letters)
3. Applies patterns like [A] ${filename} to each tab
4. Intercepts keystrokes to handle selection
5. Restores original labels when done

Configuration

Key Assignment Strategy

Control how keys are assigned to tabs via tabPicker.keyAssignmentStrategy:

• filename (default) - Assigns keys based on letters in the filename, then falls back to sequential order

  • Example: tabs.ts gets t, picker.ts gets p, extension.ts gets e

• leftHand - Prioritizes keys on the left side of the keyboard (ideal for left-hand navigation)

  • Order: a, s, d, f → q, w, e, r, t → z, x, c, v → right-hand keys as fallback

• rightHand - Prioritizes keys on the right side of the keyboard (ideal for right-hand navigation)

  • Order: j, k, l, h → u, i, o, p, y → n, m → left-hand keys as fallback

• homeRow - Prioritizes home row keys first (balanced, comfortable typing position)

  • Order: a, s, d, f, g, h, j, k, l → q, w, e, r, t, y, u, i, o, p → z, x, c, v, b, n, m

To change the setting:

1. Open VS Code Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,)
2. Search for Tab Picker: Key Assignment Strategy
3. Select your preferred strategy

Limitations

Duplicate Tabs

When the same file is open multiple times, all instances show all keys:

[A/S] file.ts  ← Both show both keys
[A/S] file.ts

Press A → jumps to first instance
Press S → jumps to second instance

Why? VS Code's customLabels uses file path as the pattern key. Same file = same pattern for all instances. No API exists to override individual tab labels.

Other Limits

• Untitled files - Labels don't appear on unsaved "Untitled" files (VS Code API limitation).
• File tabs only - Doesn't work with terminals, webviews, or custom editors
• 26 tab maximum - One key per letter
• Workspace setting - Labels temporarily modify workspace config

Requirements

VS Code 1.105.0+

Commands

• Tab Picker: Navigate - Activate navigate mode
• Tab Picker: Delete - Activate delete mode
• Tab Picker: Cleanup - Remove leftover labels (recovery command)

Inspiration

Based on Barbar.nvim's BufferPick feature.

MIT License • Made with ❤️ for Vim refugees